AboutWhat does the meme depict?

The 'Amateurs' meme, also known as 'What Was That, Punk?', originates from a webcomic by Shen Comix. It illustrates a scenario where anthropomorphic versions of the years 2014 and 2015 argue over which year witnessed more celebrity deaths. Their disagreement is interrupted by a hooded figure who dismisses their claims by calling them 'amateurs'. This figure is then revealed to be the year 2016. The comic is structured into four panels: the first two panels show the years 2014 and 2015 arguing, the third panel introduces the hooded figure, and the final panel reveals the figure to be 2016. The popularity of this template stems from its ability to be customized, with users often changing the characters and the context of their argument.

OriginWho did it first?

The meme was first introduced by comic artist Shen Comix on December 31, 2016. Originally named Owl Turd Comix, he published a four-panel comic depicting years as human figures, arguing over which year had more celebrity deaths. This post captured significant attention online, as indicated by substantial engagement numbers on platforms like Twitter (now X), Instagram, and Tumblr. Following this, the first meme adaptation emerged on January 3, 2017, when a Reddit user shared a version on the r/FULLCOMMUNISM subreddit.^[1]

Origin: 2016